Jason Kenney Faces Criticism, Mockery After Calling For ‘Economic Sanctions’ on United States

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney called for “economic sanctions” on the United States during incoming US President Joe Biden’s first day in office.

Speaking with reporters on Inauguration Day, only a few hours after Biden took his oath of office and began implementing his green energy agenda by rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement and cancelling the Keystone XL pipeline, Kenney called for retaliatory “economic sanctions” on the United States.

“…It is clear that the Government of Canada must impose meaningful trade and economic sanctions in response to defend our country’s vital economic interests.”

Here’s Premier Kenney calling for trade sanctions against the United States if the new Biden administration won’t re-engage Canada in meaningful discussions over Keystone. #yeg #yyc #ableg #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/tj71phtNXo

— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) January 21, 2021

Construction already started: According to TC Energy (previously TransCanada), some 200 kilometres of pipe has already been laid since construction in Alberta started in July 2020.

Kenney bet $7.5 billion on Trump’s re-election: Critics charge Kenney started the project knowing full well it was likely to be cancelled, sinking $7.5 billion in taxpayers’ money into the project in March 2020, a month after Kenney publicly acknowledged US Democrats might cancel the project. Kenney steamed ahead with the project over the summer of 2020 even after then-Democratic nominee Biden had publicly pledged to cancel Keystone XL.

With the opposition labelling it as Kenney’s $7.5 billion “pipeline to nowhere,” opposition leader Rachel Notley raised questions about Kenney’s multibillion dollar deal with TC Energy, despite knowing the project would likely never be completed.

Albertans deserve to know the truth about the deal Jason Kenney made with TC Energy regarding the KXL Pipeline. This is taxpayers’ money that the Premier gambled with and lost. What is Alberta’s final bill for his risky investment?

— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) January 21, 2021

“Crazy talk”: Kenney’s call for sanctions against the US was widely greeted with criticism and mockery from political commentators and policy experts across the political spectrum.

I didn’t have “Jason Kenney proposes threatening US trade sanctions” on any of my bingo cards.

— Jason Markusoff (@markusoff) January 21, 2021

I supported KXL and I believed that Ottawa should have been given an opportunity to discuss with Biden before he signed the EO. But launching a trade war over a partially completed pipeline is a really bad idea.

— Duane Bratt (@DuaneBratt) January 21, 2021

LOL at Jason Kenney wanting to impose economic sanctions against the United States for cancelling Keystone

— Jesse Hawken (@jessehawken) January 21, 2021

same for jason kenney demanding trade sanctions against america. the haters are gonna say that they’re using any pretext to distract from their mismanagement of the pandemic but i understand. like, after nearly a year of this, i’m going to dye my hair gray. it’s helping!

— vicky mochama (@vmochama) January 21, 2021

Kenney is facing extinction. He rolled the dice and he lost big time. https://t.co/4Ye7SHQNar

— Susan Reisler (@susanreisler) January 21, 2021

Some people credit @jkenney for being a formidable politician. He couldn’t possibly have read the room any worse than he did today. (Not to rub salt in the wound, Alberta, but between Premier’s staff and his War Room, we’re shelling out $33M/year for this circus.) #ableg #cdnpoli https://t.co/QtxZ5XiknW

— Ryan Jespersen (@ryanjespersen) January 21, 2021

‘Kenney said he was calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to sit down with the new administration, suggesting that the federal government impose trade and economic sanctions should those efforts be refused.’ I’m sure the Biden administration is quivering. https://t.co/nLZ34EA87O

— Ravi Mattu (@ravmattu) January 21, 2021

This is another gear of dumb https://t.co/tliX5lERnG

— Bruce Anderson (@bruceanderson) January 21, 2021

Help me out here…

How can Kenney call for a “respectful dialogue” with President Biden, while simultaneously braying for biting retaliatory economic sanctions? ?

— David Khan (@Dave_Khan) January 21, 2021

So on the first day of the new administration, @jkenney is threatening sanctions against the United States. Smoooth. And what a strategist! We are truly blessed!

— Brian Mason (@bmasonNDP) January 21, 2021

Still laughing at this idea. Obviously Kenney has to float it so it looks like he’s doing something and can blame Trudeau when he doesn’t take the bait. But it’s sad. Pathetic. Transparent. And useless.

— David Moscrop (@David_Moscrop) January 21, 2021

My latest blog on Kenney’s crazy talk: Into a world of Biden euphoria comes Canadian talk of sanctions against the U.S. https://t.co/vEZm8mbU9R

— Don Martin (@DonMartinCTV) January 21, 2021

War Room MIA: Jason Kenney’s energy “war room,” created as part of Kenney’s “fight back” strategy to defend the interests of Alberta’s oil industry, has so far remained silent on Biden’s decision to scrap Keystone. In fact, the $30 million operation has not tweeted since New Year’s Day.

Happy New Year! pic.twitter.com/kXvdlfOE79

— Canadian Energy Centre (@CDNEnergyCentre) January 1, 2021

[Edmonton Journal]